John Amos Returning to Birmingham Roots

Jul. 17, 2009

Actor/director performs one-man show ‘Halley’s Comet’ at UNA Saturday

FLORENCE, Ala. – Actor/director John Amos – known for roles on “Good Times,” “The West Wing” and other television and film hits – will relive some childhood memories Wednesday as he returns to Birmingham by train. As a child, he would ride a train, the Silver Comet, from New Jersey to Birmingham to visit relatives. He hasn’t returned to the city since 1954.

Amos is coming back to Alabama to perform his one-man show, “Halley’s Comet,” at the University of North Alabama. The show is part of UNA’s annual Summer Theatre Program. Amos will take stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 25 in UNA’s Norton Auditorium. Tickets are available at www.una.edu/summertheatre.

“Halley’s Comet” was conceived and written by Amos in 1980 and features a character who shares memories of witnessing Halley’s Comet twice in his life – once at age 10 and now in his old age. He reveals a life full of adventure, drama and dreams – combining that which is very funny, tempered with life’s sadnesses. “Halley’s Comet” is a theatrical journey that proves the endurance of the human spirit.

Amos has directed and acted in a variety of stage productions from Los Angeles to Broadway to England. He is particularly known for his roles in a long list of television hits, including Kunta Kinte in the epic mini-series “Roots,” James Evans in the hit series “Good Times” and Percy Fitzwallace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in “The West Wing.”

INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE TO MEDIA: Amos will be available for in-person interviews upon his arrival in Birmingham on Wednesday. He is also available for telephone interviews. To schedule an interview, contact Madeline McCray at 917-557-2388, 760-989-2019, mysonsut@yahoo.com or hcmadeline@gmail.com